G.R. No.

L-48605 December 14, 1981

DOMNA N. VILLAVERT, petitioner,
vs.
EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION COMMISSION & GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE
SYSTEM (Philippine Constabulary), respondents.
Facts: Marcellino N. Villavert, son of the petitioner, was an employee in the
Philippine Constabulary as a code verifier. In addition to his duties, he also
performed the duties of a computer operator and clerk typist. He performed his
duties not only as code verifier but also handled administrative functions, computer
operation and typing jobs due to the shortage of civilian personnel. On December
11, 1975, Marcelino reported to his work as usual. He was complaining chest pain
and headache in the late afternoon but because of the voluminous work, he was still
required to render overtime service for computing allowance and preparing checks
for the salary of the Philippine Constabulary and Integrated National Police
personnel throughout the country on or before December 15, 1975. When he came
home due to fatigue he went to his bed as he arrived without taking his meal.
Shortly after, his mother, the petitioner, noticed that Marcellino was grasping for
breath, perspiring profusely and mumbling incoherent words. Petitioner tried to
wake him but failed to do so. She therefore rushed him to the hospital but he never
regained consciousness and pronounced that the case of death was acute
hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Petitioner filed claim for the death benefits of Marcelino to the Government Service
Insurance System together with the affidavit of Lt. Colonel Felino C. Pacheco
attesting that he worked as code verifier and performed other additional duties.
Inter alia, he testified that the deceased was computer operator consequently
subject to excessive heat and cold. He also testified that the deceased never drinks
alcohol liquor nor smokes nor engages on immoral habits. To corroborate Pachecos
affidavit, Rustico P. Valenzuela, Chief Clerk of the Constabulary Computer Center
certified that indeed the deceased was performing additional work load due to the
shortage of qualified civilian personnel. He also certified that on the said date, the
deceased was complaining of chest pain and headache but he was obligated to
carry on work because of the said deadline. He also pointed out that Marcelino was
not able to consult for his routine physical check-up due to the rotation of his duties.
The petition was denied by GSIS on the ground that acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis
is not an occupational disease and the petitioner failed to show that there was
causal connection between the fatal ailment of Marcellino and the nature of his
work. On the hand, Medico-Legal of the National Bureau of Investigation stated that
the exact cause of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis is still unknown although the
most research data are agreed that physical and mental stresses are strong casual
factors in the development of the disease.
Issue: whether in claiming death benefits of an employee in GSIS, the causal
connection of occupational disease that caused death and the nature of work should
be clearly established?

Held: As stated by the Medico Legal Officer of NBI that although the cause of acute
hemorrhagic pancreatitis is unknown, researches points out that physical and
mental stresses are strong causal factors in the development of the disease. And it
was clearly established based on evidence presented by the petitioner that the
nature of the work of that deceased directly caused or at least aggravates his
disease. This was supported by the fact that he never drinks nor smoke nor engages
on immoral habits. And as mandated in Art. 4 of the Labor Code, All doubts in the
implementation and interpretation of this Code, including its rules and
implementation shall be resolved in favor of the labor.
Ruling: the assailed decision was set aside and GSIS was ordered to pay petitioner
death benefits.